Hi, firstly I'm not normally one for posting comments i mainly just read them for advice but recently i have been having counselling for my anxiety. At first i was given six one to one sessions at my local G.P's (not the one i am registered at). In the days leading up to my first appointment my anxiety set in at maximum speed, firstly i worried in case the counsellor was someone i knew!!! This was a major factor for me to be able to open up, Luckily enough i had the name of the counsellor and was able to search for her (Facebook stalking at its worst). Our first meeting was a longer session than the other five, they took time to get to know me and my worries. I was able to discuss a few of my worries and anxiety's, it was good to finally talk to someone other than my husband but oh my did it take a lot out of me. It was explained to me that i may feel a bit drained after my sessions, i was shaky and needed to eat something. I spent the next couple of days with the worst headache.

The sessions started to get easier and i become more comfortable talking to the counsellor, no matter what i spoke about, whether i was in a talkative mood or not. The counsellor didn't expect anything from me... Which was exactly what i expected , i didn't expect anything from the sessions but i am really glad i went.

At the end of each session they gave me a form to fill out, i would fill it in the day before going back about how i had been feeling. Depending on how the previous week went we discovered that my anxiety got better as the weeks went on. It was perfect and it has not gone away but in some ways i am managing to deal with it a little better.

It was been three weeks since my last session and i am now being referred to group therapy.. Once again my anxiety about whether i will know anyone their is striking but then i tell myself that we will all be there for the same reason. I am once again going into these sessions with an open mind and low expectations.

I know this is a long post but i hope that writing about my experience with counselling that it will help others or even inspire some people to talk.

I'm so thrilled that counselling has worked for you Sounds like you have someone really special It's always good to talk and know that you are not alone and you can get well

Good luck with the group session my son started going to one in May after going through a really bad patch he says he doesn't really need it now but he's got to know everyone and he is really enjoying the weekly meetings and he knows if he does have a bad week they are all there to support him

I recall an article written by someone called Virginia in the Independent newspaper who offered some advice about group therapy.

" I can well imagine your anxiety. I remember feeling much the same way when I attended group therapy meetings years ago.

All I can say is that if you think you’re frightened, it’s nothing as to how frightened all the others in the group felt when they first arrived.

My advice is to resolve barely to open your mouth during the first session. If you’re encouraged to speak, you can simply say that you’re feeling very nervous and would like, for the first meeting, just to watch to see how it works before jumping in with both feet. That would seem a perfectly normal answer and everyone will understand.

No one in the group will press you to speak. The problem with group therapy is that it’s rather like being in a room of squawking babies. Everyone wants to have their voice heard, and the less you speak, the more time there is for everyone else. The leader of the group – because remember, there will be one – won’t be badgering you to contribute if you explain the situation.

This leader is also there to allay your fears.

I think what everyone imagines, when they first go to group therapy, is that everyone else will gang up on them and tear them to pieces. I’ve never seen this happen. On the whole, the other people in the group are incredibly sympathetic and kind to other members because they they know all about panic and anxiety. If,which is very unlikely, there were any element of “getting at you”, then the group leader would be sure to make certain that you weren’t made into a victim.

What group therapy can do is make you realise how unhappy most other people actually are. You’ll leave the group and look at everyone in the street as you go home and wonder if they, too, aren’t suffering with emotional stresses and worries. You’ll probably be right. Hearing other people’s fears does put yours into some kind of perspective. Underneath their confident exteriors, nearly everyone in the group suffering.

After the first few sessions, when you’ve got to know everyone’s idiosyncrasies and vulnerabilities, you may well find that you actually look forward to meeting again. Group therapy is not just about delving into your inner psyche. It’s a comforting experience, being in a gang of like-minded and, usually, very sympathetic sufferers.

Go along, say nothing, and only speak when you feel like it. Soon, you may well turn into a group-groupie."